Apparatus for folding, feeding and pressing pieces of fabric material

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for automatically hemming the edges of pieces of fabric material. The apparatus includes both a mechanism for use in machinery for folding over the edge of a piece of material and a mechanism for feeding the material into and out of the folding mechanism and for pressing the material in the area of the edge before as well as after its edge is folded.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Hans Freermann Ochtrup, Germany [21 Appl. No. 694,707 [22] Filed Dec. 29, 1967 [45] Patented May 25, 1971 [73] Assignee Firma Carl Schmale Ochtrup Westphalia, Germany [32] Priority Dec. 29, 1966, Sept. 9, 1967 [3 3] Germany [31 40,033 and 41,278

[54] APPARATUS FOR FOLDING, FEEDING AND PRESSING PIECES OF FABRIC MATERIAL 18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 38/2, 270/93,112/153 [51] Int. Cl D06f61/06; D06f 63/02, D06f 69/00 [50] Field of Search 112/217,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,799,132 3/1931 Garduer 112/217 2,034,672 3/1936 Ackerrnan 112/141 2,325,643 8/1943 Weis 7 112/214 2,461,862 2/1949 Weis 1 12/214 2,625,126 1/1953 Herman... 112/147 2,726,614 12/1955 Hale 112/214 3,372,497 3/1968 Sigoda... 38/2 1,417,255 5/1922 Kohn 38/2 1,657,552 1/1928 Schremp 38/2 1,683,412 9/1928 Rosenbaum et a1. 38/2 3,246,616 4/1966 Korioth 1 12/217X 3,478,451 11/1969 Sigoda 38/10 Primary Examiner lordan Franklin Assistant ExaminerGeorge V. Larkin AttorneySpencer and Kaye ABSTRACT: Apparatus for automatically hemming the edges of pieces of fabric material. The apparatus includes both a mechanism for use in machinery for folding over the edge of a piece of material and a mechanism for feeding the material into and out of the folding mechanism and for pressing the material in the area of the edge before as well as after its edge is folded.

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APPARATUS FOR FOLDING, FEEDING AND PRESSING PIECES OF FABRIC MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for automatically hemming pieces of fabric material.

Although quite a number of various types of hemming machines have been designed, no apparatus is known which is able to satisfactorily hem individual pieces of cloth or fabric. Although prior art apparatus is known which can automatically hem a long continuous straight edge of material, the method which these machines have employed, though suitable for the long hems, does not lend itself to use with individual pieces of cloth. Short hems must, rather, be made by hand, This costly, time-consuming operation requires the skill, moreover, of an experienced seamstress.

The manufacture of towels serves as a good example. As a rule, several panels of material are first simultaneously woven in a single bolt which is subsequently longitudinally cut or divided. The cut edges of the panels are then hemmed, automatically, by longitudinal" hemming machines or hemmers. One operator is all that is necessary to supervise or monitor a number of these machines.

The individual towels are finally cut ofi from these panels and their lateral edges hemmed in the conventional manual manner. It usually requires approximately 75 seamstresses to laterally hem the amount of towels which a single person has longitudinally hemmed by machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention, therefore, is to design apparatus which can be used in machinery to automatically hem relatively short pieces of fabric material.

This as well as other objects which will become apparent in the discussion that follows are achieved, according to the present invention, by combining apparatus for folding over the edge of a piece of fabric material with apparatus for advancing the material with respect to the folding apparatus and for pressing the areas of the edge to be hemmed before, between and after the individual folding operations.

A preferred embodiment of this apparatus is provided with a prefolding and a final folding mechanism for twice folding the edge of the material and a number of spring biased feeder rollers which are arranged prior to, between and subsequent to the prefolding and final folding mechanisms and which serve simultaneously to advance the material and to press it in the area of the edge. The folding mechanisms may consist of elongated helically wound material guide plates or surfaces of the type well known in the prior art. The means for spring biasing the feeder rollers is preferably made adjustable.

Additional features of this apparatus according to the present invention include ring grooves in the feeder rollers which accommodate projecting portions of the guide surfaces,

and at least one hell arranged to pass around the feeder rollers and grip the material near the edge which is to be, or has been, folded.

According to still further features of this apparatus, additional spring-biased rollers may be provided between the feeder rollers to press the belt down upon the material; the belt may be led past the point where the hem is to be stitched and held in tension there by means of an idler pulley; the feeder rollers may be arranged in pairs, one above the other, with the lower roller extending through an. opening in a horizontal material bed; and continuously variable drive means may be provided to rotate all the feeder rollers together at a controlled speed.

For the manufacture of towels, in particular, an additional mechanism may be arranged, either in front of or in the area of the final folding mechanism for introducing into the hem from a roll of tape a loop of cut tape which can serve as a hanger.

The apparatus according to the present invention makes it possible automatically to fold over the edge of a piece of material that has been introduced into the apparatus in a particular fashion and to transport the material with its folded edge to a subsequent machine for fixing the hem. This subsequent machine can be the usual sewing machine, a machine for heat fusing or gluing the folded hem, or like device.

The feeding and pressing elements of the apparatus according to the present invention not only minimize the friction caused when the material passes through the folding elements by pressing the edge prior to the individual folding operations but also overcome any remaining resistance due to friction by both pushing and pulling the material at its edge. This arrangement thus completely prevents the individual folded material layer from shifting as a result of the folding and assures that the hem on pieces of material that, for example, are provided with a design will be aligned with the design.

It is possible to achieve still greater uniformity in the folded edge with a modification of the folding mechanism according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. This mechanism which is arranged between the feeder rollers includes a rotating disc arranged parallel to the feeding plane of the material workpiece. This disc lays back, in the direction of the workpiece, a portion of the edge of the workpiece which has been bent over at a angle by a guide surface. Although this disc forms a part of the hemmer, it also simultaneously assists in feeding the material. Since the portion of the disc in contact with the material moves at a constant speed which is identical to the feeding speed of the workpiece, there is a considerable reduction in friction at the workpiece edge in comparison to the friction which would occur against stationary hemming members. Any possible shifting of the individual overlapping hem layers at the edge of the workpiece is thereby prevented.

The disc is preferably provided with teeth around its edge as well as a projecting collar, indented from the edge, that serves as a limit stop for the hem.

Additional advantageous features of the folding mechanism 7 described above include a member with a stop face arranged ahead of or on the inlet side of the disc, preferably adjustable in a direction transverse to the direction of feed. This stop face has a lower bent over edge which supports the folded edge of the piece of material. The mechanism also includes a wiper arranged behind the disc and above the moving folded edges of material workpieces for stripping-the material from the disc. This wiper extends from the disc, through a groove in the subsequent feeder roller to a point beyond the feeder roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken through the horizontal plane containing the feeding mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. l taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the individual steps carried out by the apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a section of the hemming apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one element of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one element of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the preferred embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention. There is shown a frame 1 which supports feeder rolls, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e and 2}". The drive shafts 3 of the rollers 2 are all rotatably interconnected by means of gear wheels 4 and powered by a single variable speed drive 5. The rollers 2a, 2b and 2c are supported by swivel arms 6 and biased downward by the pressure of springs 7. The springs 7 are held in bushings 8 and kept in tension by adjustable set screws 9. The rollers 2d, 2e and 2f are rotatably supported in the frame in a fixed position.

A V-belt 12, which assists in feeding the pieces of material, lies in wedge-shaped grooves 11 in the rollers 2a, 2b and 20. This V-belt is made to run past the point in the bed of a sewing machine where the stitch is formed and is kept in tension by an idler pulley 13 which is adjustably mounted on the frame 1. The sewing machine is indicated in the FIGS. by the machine bed 14, the presser-foot 15 and the needle 16.

Between the rollers 2b and 2c are arranged pressure rollers 17 for pressing the V-belt 12 downward, and which are only substantially as wide as the V-belt 12. These rollers assist the feeding mechanism by pressing the V-belt down against the material in the region farthest away from the material edge that is to be hemmed. The rollers 17 are joined by a crosspiece 18 and held in place by a pin 19 inserted in a bushing 21 on the frame. The pin 19 and, in turn, rollers 17 are biased downward by means of a pressure spring 22 inside of the bushing 21. The spring force is made adjustable by a set screw 23 screwed into the bushing 21.

A plate or bed 25 for supporting the material is connected to the frame 1 such that its top surface is aligned with the surface of the bed 14' of the sewing machine. The rollers 2d, 2e and 2f extend through openings 26 in the plate 25. A guide 51 defines the path of the material along bed 25.

A prefolding mechanism 27 and a final folding mechanism 28 are mounted on the plate 25. These folding mechanisms 27 and 28 each include an elongated helically wound deflecting surface 49 (FIG. 9) which folds over once the edge of the material as it is fed. A deflecting plate 29 arranged between the rollers 2a, 2d and the stitch plate 31 of the sewing machine maintains the finally folded edge of the material in position as it is guided to the point where the stitch is formed.

The rollers 2a and 2b are provided with ring grooves 32 which receive the guide members 33 of each folding mechanism (see FIG. 3). This arrangement prevents the material from shifting and insures that the material edge is guided securely beneath the rollers.

The frame 1 of the apparatus is finally provided with a roll of tape 35 and a tape feed mechanism 37 which may be of any well-known construction. The tape 36 is pulled from the roll 35 into the feed mechanism where a short piece thereof is periodically cut off. A loop is formed of the short piece which is laid into the fold in such a way that it will be stitched into the hem by the sewing machine. This loop thus serves as the towel hanger.

The manner in which the hem is made is now described with the aid of FIG. 4. The pieces of material are introduced on the bed 25 of the machine from the side illustrated as the righthand side in FIGS. 1 and 2. The material is initially pressed between the rollers 2c and 2f (FIG. 4a) and then folded once over in the prefolding mechanism 27 (FIG. 4b). The folded edge of the material is subsequently pressed between rollers 2b and 2e (FIG 4c) and folded again in the final folding mechanism 28. This final folding mechanism first raises the already folded edge and places a loop of tape next to it (FIG. M), then rolls the material completely over on top of the tape (FIG. 4e). Finally, the completed fold, including the hanging loop, is pressed between the rollers 2a and 2d (FIG. 4]).

It is to be understood that the apparatus described above is only exemplary and is susceptible to the modifications which will occur to those skilled in the art. It is possible, for example, to heat the rollers 2 so as to assist in the process of pressing. Indeed, any other pressing and/or feeding means may be employed which will achieve the stated purposes of the present invention.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a particular embodiment of a mechanism 50 for folding the edge of a piece of material. This mechanism is designed to be inserted between the rollers 2 of the apparatus of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and is provided with a guide member 41 which bends up the edge of the material by A plate 42 with a stop face 42' and with a bent over edge 43 runs along next to the guide member 41 to form a guide plate means. The stop face or surface 42' determines the width of the hem; it is adjustably mounted by known means in a direction transverse to the direction of feed. Shaft 48 may be mounted for rotation in a frame member 53, as may be rotated by any suitable, well-known drive means (not shown). Both the stop face 42 and its angled edge 43 project in the feeding direction to a point approximately on line with the center of a rotating disc 44, which is mounted on shaft 48.

The edge of the disc 44 is preferably provided with teeth 52. The disc 44 also includes a collar 45 spaced from the periphery of disc 44 and which serves as a backstop for the hem. Disc 44 lays back, in the direction of the material, a portion of the edge of the material which has been bent over at a 90 angle by the guide members 41-43. At the same time, disc 44 assists in advancing the material.

A wiper plate 46 is fixedly arranged in a known manner directly behind the disc 44. This plate strips the hemmed material off the disc and holds it down. The wiper plate extends through a ring groove 47 in a roller 2 and beyond to keep the folded edge of the material in line until it reaches the next processing station.

If the hemming apparatus is of the type which folds the edge of the material twice, two complete units of the folding mechanism shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and described above must be employed.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for folding and pressing the edge of a piece of fabric material comprising, in combination:

a. first feeder roller means for pressing said material in the area of said edge and for advancing said material into said apparatus;

b. first material folding means arranged to receive said material from said first feeder roller for folding over said edge of said material;

c. second feeder roller means arranged to receive said material from said first folding means for advancing said material away from said first folding means and for pressing said material in the area of said edge;

d. second material folding means arranged to receive said material from said second feeder roller for folding over said edge of said material a second time; and

e. third feeder roller means arranged to receive said material from said second folding means for advancing said material away from said second folding means and for pressing said material in the area of said edge.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first, second and said third feeder roller means includes at least one roller which is rotatably mounted on means for pressing said roller against said material with a prescribed force.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said roller pressing means includes spring means for producing said force and means for selectively adjusting the tension of said spring means.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second material folding means include elongated, helically wound plate means for providing a guiding surface for said edge.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein at least one of said feeder roller means includes a roller having a ring groove and at least one of said plate means includes a portion which projects into said ring groove, thereby to further guide the movement of said material.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one belt means arranged. to pass around at least a portion of said feeder roller means for gripping said material in the region of said edge, thereby to assist in feeding said material.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6 further comprising at least one pressure roller means arranged between at least two feeder roller means for pressing said belt against said material.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first, second and said third feeder roller means each includes a pair of rollers, arranged one above the other.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 further comprising horizontal plate means for supporting said material, said plate means having openings into which the lower one of of said pair of rollers projects.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first, second and said third feeder roller means include a plurality of rollers, and continuously speed adjustable power transmission means for positively driving said plurality of rollers.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising means for unrolling a tape from a tape roll, cutting a strip from said tape and laying said strip on the edge of said material ahead of said second folding means, thereby to permit said strip to be attached to said edge to serve as a hanger for said piece of material.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and said second folding means includes guide plate means for folding up said edge of said material at an angle of 90 and rotating disc means arranged parallel to the plane in 6 which said material is fed for folding back said folded edge in the direction of said material.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein the periphery of said rotating disc means is provided with teeth.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said disc has two faces, one face of which is provided with a projecting collar means, spaced from the periphery of said disc means, for limiting the movement of said edge of said material.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said at least one of said first and said second folding means further includes guide plate means arranged on the material inlet side of said rotating disc means for limiting the movement of said material.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said guide plate means is adjustable in position in a direction transverse to the direction in which said material is fed.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said guide plate means includes bent edge means for supporting the folded edge of said material.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said at least one of said first and said second folding means further includes wiper means arranged above the periphery of said disc means and extending from said disc means to a point beyond that one of said feeder roller means which follows said disc means, for stripping said material from said disc means and limiting the movement of said material. 

1. Apparatus for folding and pressing the edge of a piece of fabric material comprising, in combination: a. first feeder roller means for pressing said material in the area of said edge and for advancing said material into said apparatus; b. first material folding means arranged to receive said material from said first feeder roller for folding over said edge of said material; c. second feeder roller means aRranged to receive said material from said first folding means for advancing said material away from said first folding means and for pressing said material in the area of said edge; d. second material folding means arranged to receive said material from said second feeder roller for folding over said edge of said material a second time; and e. third feeder roller means arranged to receive said material from said second folding means for advancing said material away from said second folding means and for pressing said material in the area of said edge.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first, second and said third feeder roller means includes at least one roller which is rotatably mounted on means for pressing said roller against said material with a prescribed force.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said roller pressing means includes spring means for producing said force and means for selectively adjusting the tension of said spring means.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second material folding means include elongated, helically wound plate means for providing a guiding surface for said edge.
 5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein at least one of said feeder roller means includes a roller having a ring groove and at least one of said plate means includes a portion which projects into said ring groove, thereby to further guide the movement of said material.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one belt means arranged to pass around at least a portion of said feeder roller means for gripping said material in the region of said edge, thereby to assist in feeding said material.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 6 further comprising at least one pressure roller means arranged between at least two feeder roller means for pressing said belt against said material.
 8. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first, second and said third feeder roller means each includes a pair of rollers, arranged one above the other.
 9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 further comprising horizontal plate means for supporting said material, said plate means having openings into which the lower one of of said pair of rollers projects.
 10. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first, second and said third feeder roller means include a plurality of rollers, and continuously speed adjustable power transmission means for positively driving said plurality of rollers.
 11. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising means for unrolling a tape from a tape roll, cutting a strip from said tape and laying said strip on the edge of said material ahead of said second folding means, thereby to permit said strip to be attached to said edge to serve as a hanger for said piece of material.
 12. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and said second folding means includes guide plate means for folding up said edge of said material at an angle of 90* and rotating disc means arranged parallel to the plane in which said material is fed for folding back said folded edge in the direction of said material.
 13. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein the periphery of said rotating disc means is provided with teeth.
 14. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said disc has two faces, one face of which is provided with a projecting collar means, spaced from the periphery of said disc means, for limiting the movement of said edge of said material.
 15. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said at least one of said first and said second folding means further includes guide plate means arranged on the material inlet side of said rotating disc means for limiting the movement of said material.
 16. The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said guide plate means is adjustable in position in a direction transverse to the direction in which said material is fed.
 17. The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said guide plate means includes bent edge means for supporting the folded edge of said material.
 18. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said at least one of said first and said second folding means further includes wiper means arranged above the periphery of said disc means and extending from said disc means to a point beyond that one of said feeder roller means which follows said disc means, for stripping said material from said disc means and limiting the movement of said material. 